UGA starting TB Washaun Ealey granted unconditional release by Bulldogs (UPDATED)
Washaun Ealey led the Bulldogs with 811 yards rushing and 11 TDs as a sophomore last season. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Athens – Can a team lose its leading rusher and actually become a better team?
The Georgia Bulldogs are about to find out. They granted Washaun Ealey — their starting tailback and an 800-yard rusher last season — his unconditional release on Monday.
The announcement was made in a vague, three-paragraph news release distributed by the UGA Sports Communication office Monday night. It was characterized as a mutual decision.
“Washaun and I have had several conversations in recent weeks,” head coach Mark Richt said in the release. “We both have come to the conclusion that a transfer to another institution would be in his best interest.”
Georgia officials confirmed that Ealey is academically eligible to play next season. Ealey could not be reached for comment so his next destination is unknown.
Ealey’s mother, Joanne Ealey, said she was unaware of this latest development.
“I don’t know anything about that,” she said. “I need to talk to my son.”
Ms. Ealey said her son had discussed the possibility of transferring to Georgia Southern or some other school in the past. She said she was OK with that, “as long as he’s getting an education.”
By granting Ealey his release, Ealey will be immediately eligible at a lower-division school. However, he would still have to sit out one season if he transfers to another Football Bowl Subdivision institution.
While the Bulldogs will be losing a productive back who showed flashes of brilliance, they will also be losing a disciplinary headache. Ealey was suspended at least twice in the last seven months and Richt was constantly on him to conduct himself “the Georgia Way.”
Richt hinted that relations between Ealey and the team were still strained late last month when he was asked about the him during a meeting of the Augusta Bulldog Club.
“Washaun has a ways to go still to show me that he deserves to start or even play right now,” Richt said. “He has a ways to go in my book. We’ll see.”
Ealey was suspended indefinitely from the team in February for missing an early-morning disciplinary run. He was reinstated in time for spring practice in March but was sidelined with a hamstring injury after only four practices and did not practice again. He was also suspended from last season’s opener because of an arrest for hit-and-run of a parked vehicle and driving with a suspended license. Richt was particularly upset about that incident because Ealey had assured coaches he wouldn’t drive while his license was suspended.
A rising junior from Stillmore, Ealey played in 21 games for the Bulldogs with nine starts, including seven last season. He rushed 1,528 yards and 14 touchdowns in two seasons at Georgia.
Ealey’s status as starting tailback was already in jeopardy. He was benched early last season due to fumbling issues. And the Bulldogs in February signed Isaiah Crowell, the nation’s No. 1-ranked running back prospect. They also return senior Caleb King, junior Carlton Thomas and redshirt freshman Ken “Boo” Malcome at the position.
Milan Turner, Ealey’s high school coach at Emmanuel County Institute, said he had not yet talked to Ealey but planned to sometime later Monday night.
Ealey was one of two players Georgia signed out of ECI in 2009. The other one, linebacker Dexter Moody, had his letter-of-intent revoked shortly after national signing day due to a major disciplinary infraction at the high school.
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483 comments Add your comment
You got to be Kidding Me!
May 10th, 2011
2:15 am
The GHSA is voting on Tuesday night on Re-Classification. They will also vote to Re-Classify UGA as a “Non- Competitive” school. From all the pre-meeting rumblings it looks like it may be a land slide vote and UGA will be with the likes of ABAC, Georgia Military Academy, Shorter College and LaGrange College when the sport is Football. The difference being, that when you graduate from of those schools the piece of paper you hold will actually mean something unlike at UGA where it means your mama or daddy overpaid the state for the top party school in America.
GTBob
May 10th, 2011
2:21 am
He is a great talent. If he was developed and disciplined the way he needed to be then he could have been one of the best in the SEC. Oh well. Such a waste.
Gandalf, the wise
May 10th, 2011
3:59 am
GA should get rid of Richt, he’s a ho-hum coach at best…Let’s get some Tiger blood and get on with the “WINNING!”
59bulldawg
May 10th, 2011
4:31 am
We are putting a hell of lot dawg bones in one dish! Anybody know if Crowell has achieved a qualifying score on the SAT?
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 10th, 2011
4:51 am
The usual childish remarks on a blog from opposing schools so called fans. Some of you need to look up the word in your dictionary called reality and maturity. You act like you struggled to get through the 5th grade with your, He stole my marbles, so I cried and went to the teacher to report him” attitude.
If Auburn fans are going to insist on coming onto other schools blogs, then you are just opening up yourself to having to listen to comments about your schools shady practices. You had better hide that trophy because I have a feeling that the NCAA, might want it back in a few months.
Tech. Fans, instead of running your mouth on a blog that has nothing to do with your school, why don’t you show it on the field before you start acting like you are so superior. UGA owns you on the football field.
GO DAWGS
best thing for all concerned
May 10th, 2011
5:36 am
uga is stocked at tailback and all the guys are hungry for playing time, so washaun needed to find something that inspired him – maybe a change of venue will be the ticket. richt finally is going to be able to establish “the georgia way” by showing some guts in dumping a valuable player. true, richt also got rid of a good player last year, too; but this one is different because ealey contributed last year and was expected to be a starter, not competing for a job. don’t worry, dawgfans, this was a good move.
Stinger
May 10th, 2011
5:49 am
What else is new? The only question is who will be the next recruit to fail admittance exams?
Baby daddy
May 10th, 2011
6:19 am
A knucklehead and a quitter. Glad to see him take his sh%$ show somewhere else. Hope he can grow up. I think he exemplified exactly what was wrong with this team last year. No heart no discipline,, no dedication, no drive. C ya!!
jer
May 10th, 2011
6:42 am
Georgia, where good recruits go to die!
Paddy
May 10th, 2011
6:44 am
This is good for Ealy/ He now does not have to worry about playing time at a major university. He can just concentrate on the NFL like he said last year. This may hurt his chances of going in the first 10 picks!
Bodda Getta
May 10th, 2011
6:49 am
If T.H.U.G.A. somehow harricks Crowell and Mitchell into qualifying, the weak offensive line will make them regret their decisions.
Also, Auburn has already been investigated multiple times and nothing worthy of any real penalties was found, but KEEP HOPE ALIVE dawg fans!
Use to be a fan
May 10th, 2011
7:00 am
Article should read ” when can a team lose its head coach and become a better team”
How many talented players have we seen wasted under CMR?
Timbodog
May 10th, 2011
7:03 am
For all the trouble he has caused, Ealey is still basically a kid.
Richt and the other coaches are supposed to be the adults; they dropped the ball when it came to disciplining Ealey, as I suspect have all the other men in Washaun’s young life.
Wish Ealey the best, but this is much worse for us than most of you care to admit.
drinking the kool aid
May 10th, 2011
7:04 am
“we’re hungry, dedicated, and we are just simply more talented than Boise”
except for the fact that the team quit last year in mid season, according to Mark Richt.
Timbodog
May 10th, 2011
7:05 am
Now we’re officially putting ALL our eggs in one basket.
One basket that’s never been used before.
Yep, Mark Richt knows what the hell he’s doing.
Joe
May 10th, 2011
7:10 am
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are better off now without him. He wasnt a team player and a distraction………Note to Caleb…….get your act together or hopefully you will be next. These guys are a cancer on this team……FINALLY CMR is doing something!
Joey
May 10th, 2011
7:13 am
“Wishing Ealey well, but this kind of move puts the players on notice that Mark Richt is back in charge and no one player is bigger than the Program.”
******************************************
Back in charge? That post reminds me of Richt saying, “I going to start studying football. Cutting edge football.”
So Richt was being paid to NOT be in charge, and NOT study football?
AltamahaDawg
May 10th, 2011
7:22 am
King, who for all his issues seems to be settled down, has a solid spring by everybodies account and was nine time the blocker Ealey was. I susupect HE had more to do with Ealey’s perception of how much he was going to play, as Crowell did. Malcome, is going to be a very productive between the tackles big guy for us. Thomas has a place , IF we don’t need him to use in spots where we really had no choice last year.
Ealey is a loss, but hardly the only other egg in the basket.
Gator Guy
May 10th, 2011
7:28 am
Doesn’t matter…
18 of 21
9 of 11
34-31
Neutral Observer
May 10th, 2011
7:29 am
Columbus…take a breath. And consider getting a job…it’ll keep you busy at least for awhile. And rocketfuel….what is that all about? I’m thinking you live in an alternate universe.
Just another
May 10th, 2011
7:31 am
…over rated, over hyped, GA playuh
Dawgy Style
May 10th, 2011
7:32 am
Just another day in As Richt’s World Turns. I do hope he lands in state and gets his act together.
JB
May 10th, 2011
7:35 am
OH boy, if the line can’t open holes this year, We are going to be challenged. We have more questions than answers. King and Charles are the only two who have played and proved they can catch a pass. RB will be a mess unless Crowell is the real deal. Can they open holes for him. Herschel can’t run without blocking. I’m hoping for the best. Someone needs to step up.
JB
May 10th, 2011
7:40 am
Hey funny…………………….Whenever I hear a player choosing between Tech and Mars Hill, I figure it’s another fine recruiting class for the Jackets. Can’t even beat the Dawgs when they are down. Says a lot about Tech’s program.
Funny
May 10th, 2011
7:43 am
Hey JB
50+ arrests in 4 years. You must be proud! LOL!
Funny
May 10th, 2011
7:45 am
And don’t forget Damon Evans…hahahahaha
Buckeye
May 10th, 2011
7:45 am
Now he can go somewhere else to spit.
7576DAWG
May 10th, 2011
7:51 am
Ealey wants to leave now that he is no longer on the ENTITLEMENT LIST. McGarity is getting rid of the cancer. You can’t change an attitude like Ealey has if he is not mature and smart enough to realize the the old ways at Georgia are no longer acceptable. There’s a new Sheriff in town.
After CMR had his discussions with Ealey it must have been obvious that Ealey was blaming his problems on the offensive line and not grasping the fact that he under performed also.
UGA fans are pathetic HYPOCRITS
May 10th, 2011
7:55 am
Everytime this happens at Alabama ya’ll scream and yell about how evil Saban is…how he forces these guys out to make room for the new ones. Do you all ever just listen to yourselves? You are the most pathetic bunch in the SEC…and boy is that saying something.
Ga Southern Fan4Life
May 10th, 2011
7:57 am
A couple of observations..
1. While Ealey has made his share of mistakes, let the guy go quietly instead of saying so much about him not being worthy of playing in Athens. For Goodness sake, it’s not a media event that the kid is released. The mentality that the “next guy coming up will save the team” kills team spirit and speak wonders about the lack of mentality that pervades Georgia football.
2. Perhaps he was not given the environment to be successful. Richt is notorious for wooing kids out of high school by telling them they will be starters next year. Rather he should tell kids they will be given a chance to work their way onto the team.
3. While Southern’s offfense might be a good fit for Ealey, Ealey might not fit in at Southern. Few really know this kid, so he has a lot to prove.
4. If Ealey wishes to come to Southern, he could walk on this summer and see what happens. If it does not work out, he can enroll somewhere else. No promises, just a chance to try.
and finally…
5. Few can speak for Jeff Monken, so those who say what he will or will not do are delusional. Given his success level, I think he can speak for himself.
I doubt Ealey will have any desire to enroll at Georgia State and get lost in club football.
JB
May 10th, 2011
7:58 am
Check the Stats for Bama’s trouble with the NCAA vs Georgia. Cheating IS pathetic.
Jacket Man
May 10th, 2011
7:58 am
Good luck to this young man. The best thing that can come from Washaun’s experience at UGA will be that he realizes he needs to continue on and get his degree because an NFL contract is no sure thing.
Here’s hoping Washaun lands on his feet at a place that will allow him to prosper, on the field and in the classroom, which will ultimately give him the chance to mature as a young man and be a success in the future.
89Eagle
May 10th, 2011
7:58 am
There have been several comments about him landing at Ga Southern. Number one I personally don’t want him and don’t feel we need him. Secondly, Coach Monken has cut bait with kids that have had less problems than Ealey. CMR must be trying to cut down on the number of arrest this year. Good for him.
Shug
May 10th, 2011
7:59 am
A true Bulldog–Washaun Ealey.
Recycled Panties
May 10th, 2011
8:00 am
CMR has the infamous red panties in his custody. Word is they will be cut into strips for Murray to wear as flags next year.
He will also have a new logo on his jersey, “Please do not sack!”
JB
May 10th, 2011
8:00 am
Ga. So. fan 4 life…………..Your #2 is Saban, not Richt. We don’t offer everyone and his brother and then revoke and Grayshirt. That’s would be Nick at Bama.
lapdarg
May 10th, 2011
8:01 am
The BUM is not good enough to wear the red and black. Good riddance! We have a can’t miss player with Crowell anyway.
bob
May 10th, 2011
8:02 am
UGA football will go on. Sometime in the the future he will realize what a great opportunity he threw away, not for the NFL, but to set himself up for a successful life and career. Hopefully he will readjust his attitude and priorities at his next stop.
Youth is wasted on the young!
JB
May 10th, 2011
8:03 am
Jacket Man……….That was classy. You must have gotten your MBA at a school where hating is not job 1. Thanks for the post.
1eyedJack
May 10th, 2011
8:04 am
One more step to being cancer free.
JB
May 10th, 2011
8:04 am
bob……………you are correct. One day he’ll probably sit in front of a Georgia Grad interviewing for a job.
RS
May 10th, 2011
8:09 am
good things happen in strange ways.
Jimmy Crack
May 10th, 2011
8:10 am
Personally I would rather see Ken Malcome get more touches. GO BOO!
Bippitty Boppity Boo Boo
May 10th, 2011
8:12 am
Its 3rd and and 20 with Carlton Thomas up the middle for no gain. UGA will settle for another long field goal try. Its good…… Boise 35 UGA 9. 10 min left in the 4th.
key
May 10th, 2011
8:16 am
Odell Thurman anyone?
South Ga. Possum
May 10th, 2011
8:19 am
I just hope coach Jeff Monken at Georgia Southern doesn’t entertain the idea of bringing washaun to Statesboro. Coach JM has already dis-missed several non conforming players from the Eagles squad in order to gain some control with disipline problems. We don’t need another “so called Star” that thinks he can do as he pleases. I live in a community less than 15 milesw from ECI High School in Twin City and watched Washaun play high scool football and wished him the very best at UGA or wherever he wanted to play college football but, he’s blown opportunity after opportunity to get his act together. Why would Ga. Southern wanna take a chance proven loser?
Jimmy Crack
May 10th, 2011
8:20 am
Scumbag trolls, mama’s got a new boyfriend and nobody to talk to, right Bippitty?
UGA fans are pathetic HYPOCRITS
May 10th, 2011
8:26 am
JB I did just that…looks like UGA is far, far ahead of Bama in that category. Hypocrit.
watchdawg
May 10th, 2011
8:27 am
As if Isiah Crowell won’t end up guilty of disciplinary infractions?
Ken Parker
May 10th, 2011
8:28 am
Does anyone remember Jasper Sanks?